The Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection says it has received hundreds of calls and complaints from consumers regarding dramatic increases in their electricity bills. Many of the affected consumers had recently switched to variable-rate pricing.

"These spikes in the price of electricity are alarming and have put many consumers, especially the poor and elderly, in a dire situation," Attorney General Kane said. "It is my duty to protect consumers and act on their behalf. We are looking at these price increases and will be prepared to take action to protect affected consumers."